98 neon... crank too long

[jandj1999]

I have a 1998 neon.It has the 2.0 sohc engine.For the past couple of months it has took a long time for the engine to start.It cranks over plenty fast and sounds fine when it starts.Does it hot and cold.It has 55,xxx miles and has been maintaned by the local dealership. It has a new Diehard battery in it and a recent set of plugs.I'm sure there are people having the same problem so hopefully someone has had theirs repaired and can help.........Thanks.......Joe

[Laveryt]

make sure they used the right type of plugs when they replaced them.
cheap resistor type champion plugs will give you start problems. Especially if they are gapped wrong.
I recommend bosch platnum plugs I have run over 230,000 miles and i'm on my third set. My second set are still good. I just changed them when I did the head gasket at 130K or so.

[jandj1999]

Originally Posted by Laveryt

make sure they used the right type of plugs when they replaced them.
cheap resistor type champion plugs will give you start problems. Especially if they are gapped wrong.
I recommend bosch platnum plugs I have run over 230,000 miles and i'm on my third set. My second set are still good. I just changed them when I did the head gasket at 130K or so.

When my customer brought it to me.The first thing I checked was the plugs.I have saw the same problem with numerous customers.They either do it theirself or some "mechanic Friend" puts the ".99 cents" plugs in and then a short time later they are having problems.Anyway,The problem turned out to be"coking" in the throttle body.Its seems that the owner only drives 2 miles to work and rarely goes anywhere else.So the engine is hardly even warm before it is shut off.........Just goes to show you that it helps to ask the owner about their driving conditions........Thanks......Joe

[Sterling52]

What I have discovered on my 97 Neon is that when you turn the key on the fuel pump is not coming on for that brief one or two second burst. but will come on when you start cranking the engine. That is why the long crank time before it starts. I haven't figured out what is causing this, but i'm working on it, and will post when I do.